Love connection: building relationships as a newcomer

Newcomers approach love and relationships in diverse ways, from facing the pressures of traditional matchmaking to navigating the complexities of modern dating. Building a romantic relationship in a new country can feel like uncharted territory, where conventional methods may not always apply, and dating apps come with their own set of challenges. Yet, with the right mindset and support from the community, love can bloom in unexpected ways. Take Jenn Patterson, for instance. Born in Canada, Jenn wasn’t new to the country, but she still stepped out of her comfort zone when she joined a local hiking group. Though she wasn’t exactly “outdoorsy,” her curiosity led her to give it a try. That’s where she met Lebanese-born Ramzi Khouri, who had recently moved to Canada and had also joined the group. As their paths crossed more often, their shared interest in nature turned into a shared love for each other. Now married, Patterson and Khouri have been together for over a decade, proving that finding love in a new country doesn’t always need to follow the traditional routes. “Joining the hiking group opened up a new world for me in more ways than one,” she says.

Cultural expectations

Simran Kaur, who works in the film industry in Toronto, moved from India six years ago. Reflecting on how she has to navigate between cultures, she says, “When I go back home, I’m already considered a foreigner.” In her new reality in Canada, the traditional matchmaking that her family insists on feels out of place to her. She expresses her frustration with their attempts to “arrange” a union. In addition, she finds that many families from her background want the traditional Indian bride. “They want someone financially successful, but also someone they can suppress,” she says. “That doesn’t sit very well with me.” Like Kaur, Indian-born Hiral Parekh, an analyst working in the aviation industry in Montreal is navigating the complexities of expectations from her culture while living in Canada.